Rapid tail wagging when feeding

[chz]

I haven't posted in awhile, but I thought this was very interesting. I just fed my bp's (male normal and female spider). The male never turns down a meal and is on top of his prey before it even hits the ground sometimes. The female is a LITTLE slower, but not much. I am very lucky to have such non-picky eaters.

But today when feeding the female spider she crept up on the mouse and began wagging her tail extremely rapidly, similar to that of a puppy. It was one of the funniest, weirdest things I've seen with my snakes yet. I've heard of tail wagging, but isn't it only supposed to occur during mating? Or is it whenever they are excited.. similar to an excited puppy. She's very young.. I got her from 8ballpythons barely 2 months ago. So maybe she was just really excited and really hungry? I was mad that I didn't have my camera, I would've loved to show you guys the video. I laughed so hard when she did it..

Anyway, just thought it was interesting.

[Argentra]

Heh...I've seen my corns do that when feeding, but never a ball. It's really cute watching their rattlesnake impression. The leo gecko I had a while back did the tail thing as well.

[Monty]

one of my males does that constantly when ever he smells or even sees food. its really cute but hes nasty when his tail is wagging strikes at everything and anything near the cage even goes stright up in the air when hes trying to grab for food and then right back down with his mouth open kinda funny. but he is an aggressive eater once hes got the scent of the mouse

[CeraDigital]

A few of the larger Python species do it as a warning, or threat display. Particularly the African Rock Python, Southern African Rock Python, and Indian Python. I've never seen a Ball do it though; very cool! Get a video next time

[starmom]

So are they warning other snakes in the area that it is their prey or are they warning the prey- I WILL EAT YOU NOW!